Job Description

Why This Role:

This is a defining opportunity to lead one of the most technically ambitious and capital-intensive transformations in physical logistics — building the automation and AI systems that will define how goods move through a $10B enterprise's distribution network for the next decade. The successful candidate will have the mandate, budget, and executive alignment to deploy Physical AI and robotics at scale across a national DC footprint.

• Own the Physical AI and robotics strategy for one of the largest logistics companies in North America

• Significant scope: full technology ownership across DC, warehouse, yard, cross-dock, and emerging automation platforms

• High-visibility executive role with direct line to C-suite and meaningful influence over major capital investment decisions

• Rare chance to sit at the frontier of OT/IT convergence — deploying computer vision, autonomous systems, and real-time intelligence in live fulfillment operations

• Competitive total compensation including base, annual bonus, and long-term incentive plan

The Vice President of Technology – Distribution & Warehouse serves as the senior technology executive responsible for designing, building, and operating the full suite of technology platforms that power the company's distribution, warehousing, and supply chain fulfillment operations. This executive owns the technology roadmap across Distribution Centers (DCs), Warehouse Management, Yard Management, Cross-Dock Operations, and emerging Physical AI applications — directly enabling the speed, accuracy, and throughput of the company's physical logistics network.

This role sits at the intersection of technology and physical operations — partnering with DC GMs, operations leadership, and supply chain executives to deploy systems that drive measurable improvements in order accuracy, labor productivity, inventory precision, and dock-to-dock cycle times. VP will be a key voice in enterprise architecture, automation investment decisions, and the company's Physical AI and robotics strategy as it scales across a national network of facilities.

This position is based in our Penske Logistics development center in Beachwood, OH. This is an in-office position, at least 4 days a week. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Major Responsibilities:

Technology Strategy & Roadmap

• Define and own the multi-year technology roadmap for DC, warehouse, and yard management platforms, aligned to network growth, throughput targets, and the company's automation ambitions

• Lead the enterprise Physical AI strategy — evaluating AMR/AGV vendors, robotic picking systems, computer vision platforms, and AI-driven operational control systems for phased deployment across the DC network

• Drive build-vs-buy analysis and govern vendor selection for WMS, YMS, robotics, and automation investments at enterprise scale

• Serve as the technology voice in executive discussions on new DC openings, network redesign, and automation capital investment planning

• Evaluate and pilot emerging technologies including autonomous forklifts, AI-powered slotting, and predictive maintenance systems for material handling equipment

Product & Engineering Leadership

• Lead and grow a high-performing organization of 50–150+ engineers, product managers, automation specialists, architects, and technical program managers

• Establish engineering excellence standards including systems integration quality, real-time performance SLAs, and robust testing practices for WMS/WCS deployments

• Drive agile delivery practices adapted for operational technology (OT) environments — balancing speed of innovation with zero-downtime requirements in live DC operations

• Build a culture of operational technology excellence that bridges IT and OT disciplines, attracting talent across both software engineering and industrial automation

• Define career paths and capability development programs for a team operating across enterprise software, embedded systems, robotics integration, and data engineering

Business Partnership & Value Delivery

• Partner with DC General Managers, VP of Operations, and Supply Chain leadership to co-own technology-enabled productivity and throughput improvement programs

• Translating complex physical operations challenges — labor shortages, peak volume surges, SKU proliferation, returns complexity — into technology-driven solutions with clear ROI

• Establish technology investment governance and ROI tracking frameworks across DC automation, WMS modernization, and labor management initiatives

• Own the business case development for major capital technology investments, including robotics deployments, WMS platform replacements, and cross-dock automation systems

• Represent technology in customer-facing engagements, new business pursuits, and strategic 3PL contract negotiations where technology capabilities are a differentiator

Platform, Automation & Physical AI

• Oversee the evolution and modernization of the company's WMS platform(s) including consolidation across acquired DCs, cloud migration, and real-time inventory accuracy initiatives

• Lead the integration architecture between WMS, WCS/MES, YMS, TMS, and ERP systems, ensuring seamless end-to-end data flow across the physical and digital supply chain

• Define and execute the robotics and automation integration framework — governing how AMRs, robotic arms, sorters, and conveyor systems are connected to enterprise warehouse control layers

• Drive computer vision and Physical AI programs including dock-door monitoring, associate safety AI, automated receiving/put away, and quality audit systems

• Establish the digital twin capability for DC network modeling, enabling scenario planning for layout changes, automation additions, and peak readiness simulations

Operational Excellence & Governance

• Own the technology budget ($40M–$120M range) including OpEx/CapEx planning, vendor negotiations, and total cost optimization across software, automation hardware, and infrastructure

• Establish and enforce technology governance policies, including cybersecurity standards for OT environments, data privacy compliance, and regulatory requirements (OSHA, FDA for food/pharma DCs)

• Lead disaster recovery and business continuity planning for mission-critical WMS and automation systems — including failover protocols that protect live DC operations

• Drive continuous improvement in system uptime, order accuracy rates, labor productivity benchmarks, and inventory shrink metrics attributable to technology

• Govern technology standards across a multi-DC national network, including hardware standardization, software version control, and network/connectivity infrastructure

Other projects and tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Industrial Engineering, or related field required
• Master's degree in Technology Management, Supply Chain, Engineering Management, or MBA strongly preferred
• 15+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, with 8+ years in senior technology executive roles (VP, SVP, CTO equivalent)
• Demonstrated success leading technology organizations supporting large-scale DC, warehouse, or fulfillment operations — preferably at companies with $1B+ in revenue and 5+ facilities
• Deep hands-on experience with enterprise WMS platforms (e.g. Softeon, Infor, Manhattan Associates, Blue Yonder/JDA, SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, Körber/HighJump) and WCS/MES integration
• Track record of successfully delivering large-scale automation programs, including AMR deployments, robotic picking systems, or high-speed sortation implementations
• Experience managing complex technology budgets ($40M+) with direct accountability for capital project delivery and ROI realization
• Proven ability to operate in 24/7 operational environments where technology failures have immediate, material impact on throughput and customer commitments
• Strong working knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), real-time data architectures, and API-first integration design across WMS/WCS/TMS/ERP systems
• Familiarity with the warehouse automation and robotics ecosystem: AMR vendors (Locus, 6 River Systems, Geek+), robotic picking (Symbotic, Covariant, Plus One Robotics), sortation systems (Vanderlande, Dematic, Honeywell Intelligrated)
• Hands-on understanding of computer vision systems, RFID/barcode infrastructure, IoT sensor networks, and real-time location systems (RTLS) in warehouse environments
• Knowledge of warehouse data models, labor management algorithms, demand-driven slotting logic, and inventory replenishment systems
• Understanding of OT/IT convergence — including industrial networking (OPC-UA, MQTT), PLC integration, and cybersecurity in operational technology environments
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and scale diverse technology organizations of 50+ spanning software engineering, automation engineering, product management, and IT operations
• Executive communication skills with the ability to engage C-suite, board members, DC General Managers, and front-line operations leaders with equal credibility
• Strong business acumen with the ability to build compelling business cases for major capital automation investments and connect technology outcomes to P&L impact
• Experience partnering with industrial engineering, operations research, and facilities management functions on major DC design and retrofit programs
• Prior experience navigating M&A technology integration for acquired DC operations or fulfillment networks
• Regular, predictable, full attendance is an essential function of the job.
• Successful candidate must complete Penske employment application, submit to a background investigation (past employment, education, and criminal history), and complete a drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience deploying Physical AI systems at scale — including computer vision for receiving, damage detection, or associate safety applications in a live DC environment
• Background in digital twin modeling and simulation for DC layout optimization, automation planning, or peak readiness stress-testing
• Familiarity with FDA, USDA, or pharma-grade cold chain warehousing technology requirements (temperature monitoring, serialization, lot traceability)
• Experience building or operating a multi-tenant warehouse technology platform supporting 3PL/contract logistics customers with differentiated visibility and reporting
• Knowledge of Goods-to-Person (GTP) fulfillment systems (AutoStore, Ocado, Attabotics) and their WMS integration architectures
• Active involvement in industry associations (WERC, MHI, CSCMP, ISSA, Gartner Supply Chain)
• Prior experience as CTO or divisional technology head in a publicly traded logistics or fulfillment company

Physical Requirements:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The associate will be required to: read; communicate verbally and/or in written form; remember and analyze certain information; and remember and understand certain instructions or guidelines.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate may be required to stand, walk, and sit. The associate is frequently required to use hands to touch, handle, and feel, and to reach with hands and arms. The associate must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25lbs/12kg.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer